Can I delete the Windows.old folder


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vsub

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I just did a windows reinstall from system=>recovery(keeping my old files)and everything seems to be working the same way before I did the reinstall(maybe something got fixed too)

I know it will be deleted automatically after some time
For some reason the old windows is 4gb bigger
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 1114700HX64GBRTX 4070
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
MSI Sword 17 HX
CPU
14700HX
Memory
64GB
Graphics Card(s)
RTX 4070
It's YOUR computer . . .
I waited a week or two.
 
Last edited:

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 (up to date)Intel i5 12400Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GBOn Board the Z690
    OS
    Windows 11 (up to date)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel i5 12400
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z690 UA
    Memory
    Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    On Board the Z690
    Sound Card
    On Board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    43" Samsung tu7000
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG SSD 1TB NVMe M.2
    PSU
    Thermaltake smart 500w 80+
    Case
    LIAN LANCOOL_205M
    Cooling
    Bunch of fans . . . :o) (lights dont work)
    Keyboard
    Unicomp: Ultra Classic White Buckling Spring USB
    Mouse
    M510
    Internet Speed
    50mbps on Ethernet
    Browser
    Fire Fox
    Antivirus
    Windows
    Other Info
    Love this computer but I still prefer Win-7 like I love my old Lazy Boy Recliner . . . it just feels better.

  • At a glance

    WIN-7-64BIT and Win-11 pro for testing on uns...i5-3570K CPU @ 3.40GHz, 3801 Mhz, 4 Core(s), ...16 GB - Crucial Ballistick 4GB PC3-14900 DDR3...NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050
    Operating System
    WIN-7-64BIT and Win-11 pro for testing on unsupported hardware
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Home built
    CPU
    i5-3570K CPU @ 3.40GHz, 3801 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 4 Logical Processor(s)
    Motherboard
    GA-Z77-HD3
    Memory
    16 GB - Crucial Ballistick 4GB PC3-14900 DDR3-1333 MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050
    Sound Card
    On Board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS VP278
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    4 - internal Samsung 2.5" SSD, 1 WD HDD 7200 and some external drives
    PSU
    EVGA 550w
    Case
    Old Gygabyte Tower
    Cooling
    Yes
    Keyboard
    Unicomp - UNIOP4A USB (like the old IBM Model H that I started with)
    Mouse
    M510
    Internet Speed
    50mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows
    Other Info
    The only thing it lack is USB-3.2 on the front face but it has 3.0 on the back
Run disk cleanup as administrator. Check the box beside "previous windows installations."
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8875i9-10900 10 core 20 threads32 gbnone-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8875
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    2x1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme /External drives 512gb Samsung m.2 sata+2tb Kingston m2.nvme
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    #1 Edge #2 Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.8875AMD Ryzen 7 6800U32 gbintegrated
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.8875
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink Mini PC SER5
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 6800U
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics card(s)
    integrated
    Sound Card
    integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Crucial nvme
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    still too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    System 3 is non compliant Dell 9020 i7-4770/24gb ram Win11 PRO 26200.8875
I always delete it.
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows11 Pro 26200.8894Intel Core i9 14900F (24 -Core, 68 MB Total C...32GB DDR5RTX 4080 Super w/610.74
    OS
    Windows11 Pro 26200.8894
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Alienware Aurora R16
    CPU
    Intel Core i9 14900F (24 -Core, 68 MB Total Cache)
    Motherboard
    Dell Alienware
    Memory
    32GB DDR5
    Graphics Card(s)
    RTX 4080 Super w/610.74
    Sound Card
    Realtec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Corsair XENEON 32QHD165
    Screen Resolution
    2560 X 1440
    Hard Drives
    1-2TB Samsung 990 Pro PCIe NVMe M2 SSD
    1-4TB Samsung 990 Pro PCIe NVMe M2 SSD
    PSU
    1000 Watt Platinum Dell
    Case
    Alienware
    Cooling
    Liquid Closed Loop
    Keyboard
    Corsair Strafe RGB
    Mouse
    Logitech MK270 Wireless
    Internet Speed
    100Gb's Down-20 Up
    Browser
    Firefox 152.0.6
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Very Quiet And Fast
    CyberPower UPS CP1500PFCLCD

  • At a glance

    PClinuxOS Mate (2025.7)13th Gen Inter(R) Core(TM) i3-1315U64 GB DDR4 @3200 MHz.Internal
    Operating System
    PClinuxOS Mate (2025.7)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Intel
    CPU
    13th Gen Inter(R) Core(TM) i3-1315U
    Motherboard
    Intel
    Memory
    64 GB DDR4 @3200 MHz.
    Graphics card(s)
    Internal
    Sound Card
    None
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell 2419HGCF
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG 980 PRO SSD 2TB, PCIe 4.0 M.2 2280
    PSU
    Chicony 30 Watt
    Case
    Small
    Keyboard
    Dell
    Mouse
    Razor
    Internet Speed
    1GB
    Browser
    Slimjet
I would just let it sit there, until Windows decides to delete it on its own.
If it doesn't get deleted in a month or so, then I'd delete it then.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Custom Built
vsub said:
I know it will be deleted automatically after some time
Click to expand...
By default it's 10 days.

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My Computers My Computers

System One System Two Other systems

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 HomeAMD Athlon Silver 3050U8GBRadeon Graphics
    OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire 3 A315-23-R9VY
    CPU
    AMD Athlon Silver 3050U
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon Graphics
    Monitor(s) Displays
    laptop screen
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768 native resolution, up to 2560x1440 with Radeon Virtual Super Resolution
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung EVO 870 SSD (from April 2026: 250GB EVO 850)
    Internet Speed
    150 Mbps
    Browser
    Edge, Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    fully 'Windows 11 ready' laptop. Windows 10 C: partition migrated from my old unsupported 'main machine' then upgraded to 11. A test migration ran Insider builds for 2 months. When 11 was released on 5th October 2021 it was re-imaged back to 10 and was offered the upgrade in Windows Update on 20th October. Windows Update offered the 22H2 Feature Update on 20th September 2022. It got the 23H2 Feature Update on 4th November 2023 through Windows Update, 24H2 on 3rd October 2024 through Windows Update by setting the Target Release Version for 24H2, and 25H2 on 30th September 2025 through Windows Update by setting the Target Release Version for 25H2.

    UPDATE - 11 April 2026: due to mechanical deterioration this PC has been retired from active duty. The OS with all software and files has been migrated to my System Seven in 'Other systems' to carry on as my general purpose 'main machine'.

    I've now clean installed 25H2 and used Garlin's scripts to update Secure Boot to CA 2023 and revoke the PCA 2011 certificates. It's new role is to test secure boot issues.

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 ProIntel® Core™ i5-520M8GB(integrated graphics) Intel HD Graphics
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Latitude E4310
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ i5-520M
    Motherboard
    0T6M8G
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics card(s)
    (integrated graphics) Intel HD Graphics
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    500GB Crucial MX500 SSD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    unsupported machine: Legacy bios, MBR, TPM 1.2, upgraded from W10 to W11 using W10/W11 hybrid install media workaround.

    In-place upgrade to 22H2 using ISO and a workaround.
    Feature Update to 23H2 by manually installing the Enablement Package.
    In-place upgrade to 24H2 using hybrid 23H2/24H2 install media.
    Upgraded to 25H2 by Enablement Package.

    Also running Insider Dev, and Canary builds and Windows 10 as native boot .vhdx.
  • My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro.

    My SYSTEM FOUR is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e 20DA, Celeron N2930, 8GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device: currently running Win10 Pro, plus Win11 Pro RTM and Insider Dev, Beta, and RP 24H2 as native boot vhdx.

    My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 8GB RAM, 1TB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary builds (and a few others) as a native boot .vhdx.

    My SYSTEM SIX is a Dell Latitude 5550, Core Ultra 7 165H, 64GB RAM, 1TB NVMe SSD, supported device, Windows 11 Pro 24H2, Hyper-V host machine. Updated to 25H2 on 30th September 2025.

    My SYSTEM SEVEN is a Lenovo Thinkpad T580, Intel Core i7-8650U, 16GB RAM, 512GB NVMe SSD + 2nd 512GB NVMe SSD, a supported device for Windows 11. This is my current general purpose 'main machine'. The installed Windows 11 Home from my System One has been migrated to this machine.
If you are sure you do not want to go back to the previous version then Disk Cleanup is one way,
Also going to Settings/System/Storage turn on Storage Sense click Cleanup Recommendations
Check Previous Windows Installations.
 
Last edited:

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro Insider 64 bit 25H2 26200.5742Intel Core i7 9700K 3.6016 GBnVidia GEForce RTX 2060 Super
OS
Windows 11 Pro Insider 64 bit 25H2 26200.5742
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Gigabyte Z390 UD
CPU
Intel Core i7 9700K 3.60
Motherboard
Gigabyte Z390 UD
Memory
16 GB
Graphics Card(s)
nVidia GEForce RTX 2060 Super
Sound Card
onboard
Monitor(s) Displays
Two 27" Dell 4K monitors
Screen Resolution
3840 x 2160
Hard Drives
M.2 NVME SSD, 500 GB; Two 2TB Mechanical HDD's
PSU
850w PSU
Case
Cyberpower PC
Cooling
Water cooled
Keyboard
Backlit Cyberpower gaming keyboard
Mouse
Backlit Cyberpower gaming mouse
Internet Speed
1 GB mbps
Browser
Brave
Antivirus
Windows Security
The system32 folder from windows.old contains a working set of drivers for your hardware.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 22H2 Pro (X-lite Micro 11 version)i7 13850HX (20 cores, 28 threads)32GB DDR5Intel UHD/ RTX 1000 ADA
OS
Windows 11 22H2 Pro (X-lite Micro 11 version)
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Dell/ Precision 7680
CPU
i7 13850HX (20 cores, 28 threads)
Motherboard
Dell
Memory
32GB DDR5
Graphics Card(s)
Intel UHD/ RTX 1000 ADA
Sound Card
Realtek
Monitor(s) Displays
4K UHD Touchscreen
Screen Resolution
3840 x 2400
Hard Drives
Samsung 512GB system drive
WD Blue 1TB game drive
PSU
240W AC adapter, 1800W when docked
Internet Speed
1 gigabit symmetrical
Browser
Firefox, Librewolf
Antivirus
None. Manully configured so nobody except me can change any critical system files. (Don't ask how, it's probably against some rule somewhere)
DJNelson said:
The system32 folder from windows.old contains a working set of drivers for your hardware.
Click to expand...
The system32 folder of the NEW windows has those same drivers.
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8875i9-10900 10 core 20 threads32 gbnone-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8875
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    2x1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme /External drives 512gb Samsung m.2 sata+2tb Kingston m2.nvme
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    #1 Edge #2 Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.8875AMD Ryzen 7 6800U32 gbintegrated
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.8875
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink Mini PC SER5
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 6800U
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics card(s)
    integrated
    Sound Card
    integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Crucial nvme
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    still too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    System 3 is non compliant Dell 9020 i7-4770/24gb ram Win11 PRO 26200.8875
DJNelson said:
The system32 folder from windows.old contains a working set of drivers for your hardware.
Click to expand...

www.elevenforum.com

Backup and Restore Device Drivers in Windows 11

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My Computers My Computers

System One System Two Other systems

  • At a glance

    Win 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8894Intel® Core™ i7-14700KG.SKILL Ripjaws S5 Series 64GB (2 x 32GB) DDR5ASUS GeForce RTX 4070 Super 12GB
    OS
    Win 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8894
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ i7-14700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS TUF Z690-PLUS WIFI (BIOS 4505)
    Memory
    G.SKILL Ripjaws S5 Series 64GB (2 x 32GB) DDR5
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS GeForce RTX 4070 Super 12GB
    Sound Card
    Sound Blaster AE-5 Plus
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS TUF Gaming 27" 2K HDR Gaming
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 990 Pro 1TB NVMe (Win 11 25H2)
    SK hynix P41 500GB NVMe
    SK hynix P41 2TB NVMe (x3)
    Crucial P3 Plus 4TB
    PSU
    Corsair RM850x Shift
    Case
    Antec Dark Phantom DP502 FLUX
    Cooling
    Corsair Nautilus 360 RS AIO
    Keyboard
    Logitech MK 320
    Mouse
    Razer Basilisk V3
    Internet Speed
    750Mbs
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Winows Security
    Other Info
    MR 8.1 Home

  • At a glance

    Win 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8894Intel Core i5-1140064 GB DDR4MSI GeForce RTX 3060 Ventus 2X 12GB
    Operating System
    Win 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8894
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-11400
    Motherboard
    Asus TUF Gaming Z590 Plus WiFi (BIOS 2803)
    Memory
    64 GB DDR4
    Graphics card(s)
    MSI GeForce RTX 3060 Ventus 2X 12GB
    Sound Card
    SoundBlaster Audigy Fx V2
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung F27T350
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 980 Pro 1TB
    Samsung 970 EVO Plus 2TB
    Samsung 870 EVO 500GB SSD
    PSU
    Corsair HX750
    Case
    Cougar MX330-G Window
    Cooling
    Thermalright Frozen Edge 240 Black AIO
    Internet Speed
    350Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Security
  • System Three
    Win 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8894
    ASUS PRIME Z370-P II BIOS 3004 7/12/21
    Intel Core i7-8700 CPU @ 3.20GHz
    32GB DDR4 RAM (4x8)
    iGPU Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Mid-Tower Desktop
glasskuter said:
The system32 folder of the NEW windows has those same drivers.
Click to expand...
That is true, until the machine goes online and window checks for updates. It doesn't happen very often, but sometimes the first update installs a driver that doesn't work.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 22H2 Pro (X-lite Micro 11 version)i7 13850HX (20 cores, 28 threads)32GB DDR5Intel UHD/ RTX 1000 ADA
OS
Windows 11 22H2 Pro (X-lite Micro 11 version)
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Dell/ Precision 7680
CPU
i7 13850HX (20 cores, 28 threads)
Motherboard
Dell
Memory
32GB DDR5
Graphics Card(s)
Intel UHD/ RTX 1000 ADA
Sound Card
Realtek
Monitor(s) Displays
4K UHD Touchscreen
Screen Resolution
3840 x 2400
Hard Drives
Samsung 512GB system drive
WD Blue 1TB game drive
PSU
240W AC adapter, 1800W when docked
Internet Speed
1 gigabit symmetrical
Browser
Firefox, Librewolf
Antivirus
None. Manully configured so nobody except me can change any critical system files. (Don't ask how, it's probably against some rule somewhere)
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